In a condolence message made available to The Whistler, Marian W. Wentworth, MSH President & CEO said: “Dr. Osotimehin was a tireless advocate for women, girls, and youth. MSH was proud to collaborate with him in Nigeria – partnering when he was Minister of Health to strengthen the country’s health system – and at UNPFA, standing beside him on the global stage advocating for the health, rights, and empowerment of women and girls.
“Dr. Osotimehin was a fearless advocate for family planning, standing up for the rights of adolescent girls, and worked to end maternal deaths and gender-based violence. He was eloquent yet bold and a dynamic and visionary leader greatly admired and respected by all.”
Wentworth further observed that Osotimehin worked for high-quality, equitable, dignified care for every woman, girl and adolescent, with MSH proud to partner with him and UNFPA, through a long-term strategic relationship established by the FCI Program of MSH.
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She said that the MSH and UNFPA worked together to make high-quality midwifery care available and accessible for every woman who need it; to prevent obstetric fistula and make sure that its survivors get the life-changing care and treatment they need; to improve emergency obstetric care in remote rural communities; and to support grassroots community advocacy to hold governments accountable for fulfilling their communities to provide high-quality family planning, reproductive health, and maternal health care.
“He will be profoundly missed by all of us in the global health community,” said Wentworth. “We extend our deep sympathy to his family, many friends, and UNFPA colleagues,” the MSH boss stated.